Crystal Reports over the web

[jbrowne]

Hi Folks,
I am new to the web side of Crystal reports so this may seem like a basic question ! I want to make my current reports available over the web. According to the help - all I have to do is press the export button and select a HTML format, the problem is, I am not getting a HTML option on my dropdown box. I am using CR7. Please advise me as to what I am doing wrong.
Also how does this web stuff actually work ? Does a copy of CR have to sit on the server ? As the client is opening reports thru the browser, does that mean they don't need CR on their machine ?
As I said, I am new to the web stuff so any help or advise would be appreciated.

John B

 

[kenhamady]

If you export to HTML, they are not running a report, but instead opening a static copy of the output in HTML format.

If you want them to actually run the report (either live data or saved data) from a browser you need to configure a web server with the Crystal Web Component. The user doesn't need any software, but the web server has to have some software installed, and pages configured.

Also, this only works on NT based servers, not Unix. Ken Hamady

http://209.41.46.214/

 

[MalcolmW]

It really depends on what you want to achieve in terms of being "available over the web". A couple of basic questions:
Do you want real time reports?
(The user picks a report, possibly provides some parameters, runs it against a database, then sees/prints/exports the results)
Do you want a report "delivery" system?
(The user picks one of several existing pre printed reports, in one of a variety of file formats: html, text, spreadsheet, word proc doc, etc)
The first of the two options is more ambitious in terms of technical challenges, but will deliver more satisfying results with lower maintenance.
Regarding the second option, all the user will need to view the report (with HTML) is a browser. Personally, I think that a spreadsheet makes more sense if you are going to go this, as it allows users to more easily play with the data.

Regarding html, search the help for "Exporting to HTML" for detailed instructions for v7. There are some browser specific issues that are worth checking out there.